Signaling device



July 1952 T. w. RIEDER SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Feb. 20, 1950 INVENTOR.

BY 773m 3 m Patented July 15, 1952 w c j .j} UNITED v V STAT "I or I QSI'QNALING DEVICE-11L V :1",i 'fl hoinaswl' Rieder, PittsbnrgmPa; Application February 20, 195 0,'SerialNo.145,213, I

' T si v nt p relates teavs e al n idev c flor semaphore for streetsand roads, and partic ilarly, to an interchangeable and portable typeof signalingvdevice n v A M It has come to my attention that there i s a definite need for a relatively simpleand inexpensive type ofjsignaling device that canbe moved irom one location to another in accordancewith traiiic density andflespecially; for use, in apprehending criminalsby means of a road block. iThe need is ,for aitype of. signaling device that can be carried by police oihcers in their squadcar, for example, andsetup atany desired location in ametropolitan-area or in vthe country, as the need arises. Such a typeoirdevicegwillhave particular useful ness where. normaltrafllc densityudoes not require a Stop'andv Go signal, but which occasionally, by

reason: of; unusual traffic conditions vor by reason of the need for apprehending criminalsknown to bedriving-in a given 'area, becomes an important adjunctrto the traffic, andpolicingrsystem' of a iven area. I havealsoydetermined that such a typeof. device should have a lighting system to increase its elfectiveness; and to definitely indicate to motorists on a high speed highway that traffic is being controlled and that vehicle speed must be reduced. v

It hasthus been an object of my inventionv to providea new and improved form of signaling device and one which can be efiectively vused in apprehending criminals within a given area;

Another: object has been to provide a signaling device that isreadily portable and can be mounted and dismounted as desired at various required lo at on l l l A further object has been to provide a signaling device that will give increased police protection inthis age of high traflic density and of motorized criminals; i

These and many other objects of my invention will appear to; those skilled in the art from the villustrated embodiments thereof. I n the drawings, Figure l is-a'yertical view in levation of a device of myinvention-illustrating how it may be mounted upon acorner standard -lE T ht? gure 2 is a vertical view in elevation of the apparatus of Figural showing operating parts the f in s o 1 i V and}; are horizontal sections taken he lines I n and Iv-Iv, respectively 5i I ftheline V -;V of Figure 2 and showing deis an enlarged vertical section taken 4 class". (01. 1775327) Fi ur .6 is a re'ai .a e .1Ye eel ner eta ken. in; the om di i e as Figure 2 hrea h a MPD RPP P n 9 shown therein; and Figure ar u P I h see mi a eetie gl detail taken through a 'lowerjor botton portion of th v hou n m mber Qf F refz; t e

Fi ure 8 is a diagrammatic circ it dia am illiis-r tratine 9w {t e ce o a p ratus. 9 :figqg may h en d;

Figure '9'is a verticalviw inelevation showin the, device o Fi u ,mpunted n an overh ad e. o b k i up rera dl th igu ed.

illus ati r a d t ti n clr t ee q sus e sionion va io s ypes tl ipr r mestr 2- Figure "in 11's aggenisrge aeaii tf a apter pi t a m heiised, whe we dev s s 11m 12-.

locations at stree hollow portion-provide :Refer' n .par l ta i mi s'l a bf' 1i drawings, I have illustrated astandard that may e m e tly mo i ,teein o it en t s at t an oa c s in c rn i a that a device o f my invention may be positioned thereon for operation at any desired time when needed. Th, stand rd has anbase 10 havingla d.. with aninspection door [Land has a vertically-extending tubular member, upright or post l2 'which proiects upwardly therefrom. The standard may-be ofji'fportable type containing storage Lor dry icells for supplying energy or maybe aermanenu mounted type wired to a source of'currentor. adapted misses storage 1 battery or "dry cells? carried by 'flflpolice squadcarx":

' The signaling 'deviceof my i'nvention. haslfa', downwardly-verticallyflextendingmounting sleeve member I 1 suitably secured .itoi a 'boxI-like' housing [8' by suitable. means suohE as .fiield metal 1 la, anda'dapted to slidably fit b'vescsr tojbe telescoped by and rest" upon thejtiibular "mem be'r. 51.21): the standard; The housing box 18. has "inwardlyextending bottom edgeportions carrying -bearingmatrial fl9 which I defineffafii 'pperiing'ijtlifethroughfor receivmg'an operatingisharr; fibe .zaiwhich extends (see Figures'zand B)-.'vrtical1y into thesleeve ember 1 1. The bottom eagepor extending topfiange wall 'ZILsee Figuretions are" adapted to rest upon top rm'i' edges of the vertical member. 12 "when the device is in "a mounted position. The top wairrfthe housing .box ls has an inwardly;downwafdly yertically wh'ich defines an opening therethroughl for the" shaft T24 that is 'in' alignment withthe ppemngxdefine'dby thebp qm ed ep ti s, .l 1 '6' i J "'Asi h wn ar cularlyiin' Fi u es Z'an 'nected to the latter.

of aturn. At sucht im'e; the spring 3 top flange 20 carries a pair of vertically spacedapart and inset bearing and electric contact rings or annular bearing members 2| and 22 that are mounted'on its inner wall, have binding posts or pins 20a and 2 la and extend outwardly thereof to engage and slidably abut with corresponding spaced-apart contact rings 21 and 28 that are inset in the outer wall of the operating shaft 24- andhave binding posts or pins 21a and 28a. Atransversely or horizontally projecting ledge or stop flange 23 is secured by set screws 23a on the operating member 24 to en-.

gage a spring 231) that abuts a lower rim edge" of the flange 20 and vertically positions the operating shaft 24 and the box I 8 with respect to each other. The spring 2312 permits the shaft 24 to be slightly raised, so that rollers. 45 may be raised out of cam depressions 44a, 44b, etc. (see Figure 2) when the shaft '24 is to be turned as hereinafter described.

, shown particularly in Figure 6, the downwardly extending bottom sleeve member 11 may be- -removablysecured on the vertical member 'orj post I2 of thestandard by a thumb screw I'l'b. The member- 12 is provided with a pair of vertically spaced-apart electrical contact rings "or annular bearing members l3 and I inset Within the inner periphery of its wall adiacent its upper end. Passageways or grooves l4 and 16 extend alongthe inner wall of the member [2 from the contac'atrings 13 and I5, so that current carrying Wires or leads may be con- The upper or rotatable operating shaft or tube 24 of the device at its lower end carries corresponding electrical con tact and bearing rings 25 and 26 which are mounted about and inset within its inner periphery or wall, have binding posts or pins 21a and 26a, and makeelectrical contact with the rings l3 and [-5, respectively.

' It will be notedthat eachof the rings 13, [5, 2 5, 26,, 22, 2! and 2-8 -are provided with insulating enclosures d of *mica orother suitable aeoaeoe 4 pandedr When the pull on the cord 33 is released, the arm 30 is brought back to its original starting position by the spring 3| and its finger 30a slides over a peripheral edge of the ratchet wheel 2'! until it engages the next successive ratchet tooth 21'?) in readiness for the next quarter turn or advancement of the operating arm 24.

. Thev cord 33 is shown. mounted. ,to extend through a pulley guide bracket 35 which, as shown particularly in Figures 1, 3 and4, has a pair of spaced-apart arms 35a and 35b and carries a pair of vertically spaced-apart pulleys 36.

The pulleys 36 are rotatably mounted on pins 3! which extend through the arms 35a. and 35b of the pulley guide bracket 35. As shown particularly in Figure 4, the pulley guide bracket 35 dielectric "material that insulate them from the metal 'portionswithin which they are mounted and inlike, manner, the pins 20a, 21a, 21a; and 28a, 25a and 26a are provided with dielectric mounting sleeves d.

Theuppertubular operating shaft member 24,

asshown particularly in Figures 2 and 4, carries a ratchet wheel '21" which is secured thereto 'byl a'pin28"=for rotation therewith and a ratchet 3 member 29 which is rotatably mounted on "the shaft 24 and is provided with an arm 30 havinga ratchetfinger 30a. As will be noted par- 'ticularlyjin Figure 4,the ratchet wheel '21 has a i series of tooth portions or'teeth :21'a,2'|'b, '21'c and '21 '12 about its periphery which are adapted 1 to be engaged by' the ratchet finger 30a to rotate the operatingshaft 2'4 instep (quarter turn) increments. The end of; the ratchet arm 30 is adapted to extend through a horizontal or transverseopening or slot l8a in the housing l8,'see

Figures *1 and- 4, to receive a pull cord 33'which is knotted or secured in its hole 30b. A spring 3| issecured at one end to amounting lug 32 that extends inwardly from the housing l8 and atf-itsotherend'to lug projection 30c'that extends-from the ratchet arm 30. 'It will thus be apparent that a"manual' pull on the cord 33,

due to the engagement of tooth 21a and finger 30a, willmove'the arm 30from the full line position'of Figure4 to the dot and dashline' position thereof ,and rotate the shaft 24 a quarter 3| is exhas a horizontal piece 34which may be secured in any suitable manner .as by welding to the outside of the housing [8. The cord 33 is of sumcient length to extend downwardlyto the height of the policeman who is to operate the device and has a hand g-rip'member 34 secured thereto and provided with a light operating switch 53, see Figures 1 and 2.

Referring particularly to -:Figures 2 and 3; a stationary bearing member 40 has bracket 'portions 4! that are secured asby rivets 42 to: extend across the inside of the housing 18. The bearing member 40 has an upper'bearing portion provided with a series of .cam depressions 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d corresponding to different quadrant positions of the device and to thenumber' of teeth, such as21'a, etc. of the ratchet wheel 21. A transverse or horizontal pin shaft 44 extends through the operating shaft 24 and has a pair of bearing rollers-45' that are adapted to rest upon the uppercam or bearing surface of the member 40.androll into the quadrant grooves 43a, etc., as the :shaft '24 is moved a quarter turn from one position to another. The rollers 45 are rotatably positioned between up set ends or heads 44a and 44b of :the pin-shaft 44 and the shaft 24 and. fall into transversely opposite depressed portions. :(such as 435 and 43d) to hold the shaft 24 in .a. proper, turned position. 1

As shown particularly in Figures 1,2 .and '5, the upper end ofthe operating shaft-.24 is provided with a semaphore construction 46- securely mounted thereon "for rotation therewith. The construction 46 may consist, as shown-particularly in Figure 1, of a series of four angle members 41a, 41b, 41c and 41d secured together by bolts 41 and surmounted by an amber' -light head 52, see Figure -5. The construction 46 is provided with light and socket units or assemblies 5| positioned therein (in spacing =48), -see Figure 5, and with cable or wiring grooves .49 between abutting faces of the members 41a, etc. That is, abutting, inner faces of the members 41a and 47b, for example, define openings 48 and 49 for receiving the light assemblies 5| and their electrical connections.

In accordance with usual practice, one set of lens 50b may be red in color and the "otherset 50a may be green in color. As shown particularly in Figure 5, the light head 52 is threadably secured to the upper end of the shaft 24 at 52a. It will also be noted that it is provided with openings 53 facing in four directions to receive amber lens 54, see Figures 1 and '2. A light and socket unit orassembly 55 is mounted on an upper end piece-55 of the shaft 24 ;to light the head 52 and givea warning'sign'al to-motorists that thedevice isvabout tob'eEtu'rned from a go to a stop position, and vice versa It will be noted that he semaphore is made up of cross arms, one of which carriessthe red lights andlthe other of which carries the green: lights; The first mentioned cross arm-has .the' shape of"a'mans' hand' at each of its opposite end ber 60.

Referring to the circuit diagram of Figure 8, I have illustrated a source of current 65 which may be a battery or a usual;;power line. If a local source of current is not available, a battery 65 and switch 66 may be positioned within the base I0r in any other suitable container. The main leads 61 and are carried up through the lower or vertical support member l2, as shown in Figures 2and6, to connect with rings l3 and l5'carried: by the member l2; see Figure 6. The current supplied to the rings .l3-and l5 then is picked upby corresponding rings 26 and of the vertical operating shaft 24 and sub-leads 61a and 68a therefrom extend upwardly through the shaft 24 and are connected in parallel to the light units 5| for the red. and green lens 56b and 50a. It is thus apparent that the light units 5| will be illuminated at all times as long as the switch 66 is closed. To give warning of a change of the position of the device and thus, of the direction of the routed trafiic, the amber light 55 may be energized periodically by the operator through the agency of the push button switch 69. As shown in Figure 8', one side of the subline 68a is connected to one side of the light unit 55 and the other side of 55 is connected to sub-line 61a, through the rings 28 and 22 to sub-line 61d, through switch 69 to sub-line 61c, and through rings 2| and 21 (see also Figure 7) to the sub-line 611). It is thus apparent that the closing and opening of the switch 69, will turn the amber light 55 on and off as desired.

The sub-leads or lines 610 and 61d are, as shown particularly in Figures with loop portions a which permit the necessary movement of the lever arm 30. The outer ends of the loop portions a extend into the pull cord 33 which has a hollow center and extend along this cord to the push button switch 69.

If the device is hung as shown in Figure 9, an adapter sleeve 16 (see Figure 9A) is used having rings 13 and I5 and grooves 14 and I6 (similar to the upper end portion of member l2) and binding posts H and 12 for the lines 61 and 68. The rings 25 and 26 are insulated in their mountings by dielectric material at and the binding posts by dielectric d.

It will be apparent from the above description of the illustrated embodiment of my invention that the device is adaptable to any suitable type of mounting structure and can utilize any suitable source of current. It can thus be car- 1 and 2, provided (see Figures 1 and; 2) with the thumb. e

along the vertical memried from place to placeby' the policeman, quickly set up and used as desired A pulleonthe-cord 33-;to" the. full extent permitted, causes the ratchet-arm '30 .to actuate the ratchet wheel :21; a'quarter of a turn;to;turnthe shaft 24, slightly raise" it; changer-the; seatedupositioning. of. the rollers'atll5, ;and change .theafacing alignment .of the "red-and green ile'ns. iThat is, during a .completerotation of .the shaft-r24, both Etheiredand greenllights will-rbe ipresentedtwice to :one direction-of the traffic. The device can,.asshown, be mount'ed to extend upwardly; from a base standard OITfItOJ extends dcwnwardlyfrom an overhanging standard. s The baselilmisipreferably of ,heavy, weighted construction, such :as; concrete, and maybe en.- largedaand'i permanently set in the ground,.. if desired.. If; armotorlis to, .be: used for turning the "semaphore 46,.11110211 be mounted in the. axis portion of the semaphore and ,overhead electric leads ;.taken therefrom. y In Figure 9, the semaphOr'eJB" is shown in. a. reversed, relationship ,to Figure 1; this;is preferable; although the unit may be l'hung iwith dthe (semaphore inirth'e mounted relationshipbf Figure I. It: is desirable, as shown,'to make:' the unit immediately adapt.- able for mounting on either a 7 post or .anaover-v head supportframe. J 2 -"What'1 claim is 'f I i. Aisignaling device'structure of acter described -whi'ch:comprises, a hollow base member adapted to contain a source of current, a tubular post extending'upwardly -from said standard, a pair *of slip ringsimounted on said post adjacent'anupper end thereof, a housing,

a hollow operating shaft journaled to ext'end" through upper and lower portions of said housing, a semaphore member mounted on an upper extending end of said shaft for movement therewith, a series of stop and go lights carried by said semaphore member, a sleeve extending downwardly from said housing and about the lower end of said shaft, said sleeve being adapted to removably fit over an upper end of said post, a pair of slip rings mounted on a lower end of said shaft and adapted to slidably engage said first-mentioned pair of slip rings when said housing is mounted on said post, electric leads extending along said post from the source of current to said first-mentioned pair of slip rings, a second pair of leads extending along said shaft to said second pair of slip rings and connected to the lights of said semaphore member, a flange projecting from an upper portion of said housing about said shaft, a control switch, a third pair of slip rings mounted on said flange and connected through electric leads to said control switch, an amber light carried by said semaphore member and connected to one of said second-mentioned pair of leads, a fourth pair of slip rings carried by said shaft in slidable engagement with said third pair of slip rings, the other of said second-mentioned pair of leads being connected to one ring of said fourth pair of slip rings, the other side of said light being connected through said third and: fourth pairs of slip rings through said controlber about said housing, and a hand pull means operatively connected to said actuating mechanism and carrying said switch in its extending end, so that said amber light may be flashed on z) and Zoff .by amopera'tor apreinninarysitostumins'. saidusemaphoiietmember. 1" vl y 2'.In-- aan improved signaling device ofythe 7 character .describedIto.v LbB: .remo'vably positioned on an zupri'ghtupostandinan :inverted position, to; be FremOVa-bIy: suspended :from ran.- overhead arm :member, the .combinatiompfia';housingiratubular operating shaft rotatably'mounted with-:- in :andthaving upper fand flower end :portions extendingthrough top .and :bottom :portions of saidzhousing, a semaphore mounted on: said upper: end portion, ofsaidzrshaft for rotation:therewith, said "semaphore having: a :pair of cross; arms extending at right angles-rte each nt'her, one :of said rarmsacarrying a pair of red lights and the other f said arms carrying. "a pair :of green lights; said \one {cross am having :the shape of :a thumb and; a direction-pointing; in;- dex finger at each ofits opposite-end portions; an amber light .mounted over .:sa-id.-'upper end portion of said: shaft tosurmount said-:semaphore, an :actuating mechanism. iolperatively mounted insaid housing to :t'urn :,-saidsshaft through a. quadrant, :a hand pull :means- 0peratively connected "170 said qactuatingimechanism and positionedto extend vertically with respect to .said housing; said lower end portion pt said shaft being adapted to removably, .receive, the upright post and position said a-housing; thereon, andihooks projecting from the-bottom portion of said housing to -remoyably en a er't G l/78 head :armmember :and susDendjsaid: h u in inverted position therefrom. I v

In; a signaling device as defined rin elaim 2, wherein the=combination also comprises, a pair of:slipmingsicarriedby said,-housing, ,-a.pa i1 ofslip rings carried ;by sai-d;shai t and inwperipheral engagement-with said first mentioned slip 'rings, an electrical :switch secured toan extending end portion of said i-hand p.ull means, electrical connecfitio'nsthrough, said second-mentioned pair of 'slip ringsiandsaid switch to saidamberilightand means "for :connecting :said: firstementioned pair .of slip rings to a:sourceof electrical-energy; ;4.; In:a, signaling deviceras defined in. claim ,8; wherein. then-combination also; comprises :a 1o.wer.:pair- .of' slip:.rings carried by .said' lower endportion-ofsaid shaft, a sleeve-portion hfl-Y-. ing :a ztelescopi'c relationship with said lower endzportion, a lower pair of slip rings carried by said sleeve :portion and-in peripheral engage;- ment with said first-mentioned lower pairof slip s rings, electrical connections through said; firstementioned ,lower ;pair of slip ringstog-said redand :green lights; and means for connecting said second-mentioned lower pair of slip rings to th'e source oflelectrical energy. Y 1

- THOMAS 'W.-

.Y REFE NCES IT The folloWing'weferencs are of record in the file -of'this patent:

STA'I ES PATENTS 

